Resorts across New England gearing up for New Year's Eve

Several resorts offering family-friendly events

From fireworks and dog parades to horse-drawn sleigh rides and bonfires, resorts around New England are gearing up to ring in 2013 in style.

Fresh, new snow has phones ringing from Jay Peak to Sugarloaf, but many say they are still taking reservations and have special holiday packages available.

While many events are casual, outdoors and family-friendly, there are formal and romantic options out there to consider.

One involves taking the Chondola (combination chairlift and gondola ride) through the darkness at Sunday River to a five-course meal at the mid-mountain lodge, with each course paired with a different champagne.

Tickets are $89 per person. At the base area, there will be two free fire shows by the Soviet Bloc Party at 7:45 an 8:15 and then fireworks at the South Ridge Lodge at 8:30.Sunday River, which is just over the border from Gorham near Bethel Maine, has a lodging package for the period which begins at $139 including slopeside accommodations, lift ticket and free snowboard and ski clinics.

For day trippers who want to stay close, try skiing, snowboarding, tubing at Pat's Peak, or watch a torchlight parade and fireworks at Ragged Mountain.

There will be a bonfire at Smuggler's Notch and horse-drawn wagon rides at Okemo, both in Vermont.

Waterville Valley will be offering kids a neon black light party with crafts and music while also offering a gala dinner and dancing event at the Conference Center for $85.

Gunstock plans to offer skiing and riding and tubing from 4 to 11:30 p.m. with horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow shoe tours, jugglers, s'mores, and face painting, with a culmination of fireworks at midnight. Skiing and riding and tubing costs $49 for adults and $39 for juniors.

The Omni Mount Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods plans fireworks at 5:30 on the front lawn of the grand hotel and three different choices of evening dining. You can opt for a babysitter and the black tie affair using the best pressed linens and silver to a family friendly buffet or a romantic option in Stickney's. The full calendar of events are available at .brettonwoods.com or by calling the Omni Mount Washington Hotel concierge/activities desk at 278-8989.

Mount Sunapee is planning fireworks and a buffet with dancing and live music.Ragged has a very reasonably priced party planned with a torchlight parade, music by Friday Addiction and fireworks to top off the night at $49.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids 6 to 12.

Granite Gorge in Keene is planning a rail jam that night, under the lights.After surviving its End of the World Party on Dec. 21, Sugarloaf has recovered and plans a 1980s dance party, featuring Orange Crush. It, too, will have fireworks, sponsored by the Bank of Maine on the Beach at 9:15.

Pat's Peak is offering night skiing, snowboarding and tubing under the lights until 10 and then hosts a Monte Carlo Night, dancing to the McMurphy's, tasting stations, fireworks and a champagne toast for $90/adults and $70 without the snow activities.

Over the river in Vermont, there are plans on tap at Stratton, Sugarbush and Magic Mountain, as well.

Okemo goes on its own time zone New Year's Eve, Monday and midnight arrives early for friends and family enjoying a whole host of activities. That way, everyone can get up early for fresh tracks in the groomed snow on Tuesday.

Following early evening ice skating, snowtubing, snowshoeing, mountain coaster rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating, bingo games and a trivia tournament, families at Okemo can ring in the New Year early with a DJ dance party -- and still get the kids to bed in time for another fun day.

At Smuggler's Notch a family party in the indoor FunZone will be held full of climbing and bouncy inflatables and games. There will also be a bonfire and fireworks, a DJ dance party at the Meeting House.

Stratton’s Base Area hosts New Year’s celebrations by night with fireworks, a torchlight parade, family activities and late night music.

The torchlight parade and 21 Jump Salute will be at 8:30 with Stratton’s ski school leading a line of red fire down Suntanner, holding torches high for the 21 Jump Salute, presented by the Stratton Freestyle Ski Team.

Following that will be fireworks, which will be seen from Grizzly’s deck where music of the Lustre Kings will be offered until 1.

Sugarbush is having its 3rd Annual Dog Parade New Year's Eve. You can bark in the New Year with your very best K9 friend. A costume contest will be led by Win Smith and Lili Ruane with their dogs Rumble and Zoe in the Gate House Courtyard at 4. It costs $5 to walk, registration begins in the Gate House at 3.

Sugarbush will also host a Family Italian Dinner with Street Performers. This will feature street-style entertainment from acrobats, jugglers, magicians and the Balloon Man.

Fireworks will be at 7 p.m.

For those who want to dress up and pop the cork on 2013, Sugarbush will also have a gala in Timbers Restaurant at Lincoln Peak. Ring in the New Year with a special $100 meal and Champagne toast (call 802-583-6800 as reservations are required.)

Wherever you go and whatever you do, have a fabulous night and a very happy and snowy New Year!